True Colors

For almost an hour, she pled her case, citing legal precedent as well as moral imperatives. In conclusion, she said, “It is a travesty of justice, what our legal system has done to Dallas Raintree. It’s time to right an old wrong and exonerate him.”

The courtroom erupted into noise. Everyone was talking at once.

The judge hit his gavel and said, “Silence.” Then he looked at Sara. “The state’s response, Ms. Hamm?”

The prosecuting attorney stood up, looking as calm as Winona looked harried. “Your Honor, the record in this case is clear and cogent, and no interpretation of this DNA evidence can lead to exoneration of the defendant. If it did, we would have joined the defense’s motion. The state has no interest in keeping innocent men in prison. Quite the contrary, but in this case, a jury studied the evidence in its totality and found Dallas Raintree guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And what was that evidence? Let me go through it.”

For nearly two hours, Sara Hamm wielded her evidence like a blunt object. When she was done, she looked up at the judge. “So you see, Your Honor, the right man was convicted in 1996. The state asks that the conviction be upheld.”

Winona’s throat was dry. It took remarkable effort to sit there in silence, watching the judge read through the pleadings.

Finally, the judge turned the last page and looked up. “I see no reason to take this under advisement. The facts and arguments seem clear. The defendant’s motion is denied. Prisoner is remanded into custody.” He banged his gavel; it sounded like thunder. “Next case.”

The courtroom erupted into noise again.

Winona sat there, stunned.

“Nice try,” Dallas said. “Tell Vivi—”

And then the guards were there, taking him away again. She could hear Noah calling out; he was probably trying to push through the crowd, but it was too late.

Slowly, she turned around and saw Vivi Ann, holding Noah. Both of them were crying.

Winona sank onto her chair and sat there, staring dully at the bench. Behind her, she could hear the courtroom emptying out, hear the raised voices of the spectators, who said I knew it to one another. She knew Aurora would be confused right now, her loyalties split, her mind questioning which sister needed her more. In the end, though, it would be Vivi Ann who seemed the more broken, and thus would Aurora’s choice be made. As it should be.

“You were fantastic.”

She was so desperate for comfort that she’d gone a little mad, imagined his voice. Expecting nothing, she glanced to her left.

Luke stood there, not quite smiling as he reached down and offered his hand. “Come on.”

Thirty years ago, he’d done exactly the same thing, and it had been the beginning for them. It gets easier, he’d said then, and those few words had been a bit of Styrofoam to keep her afloat. And here he was again, just when she needed a friend. She picked up her heavy briefcase and directed Luke to help her with the boxes. For nearly an hour they loaded and unloaded the useless notes and files she’d accumulated in her quest to exonerate Dallas, saying nothing. When it was all done, she led him back to her house, made two drinks, and followed him out into the backyard, where they sat in the porch swing.

“Do you want to talk about it?” was the first thing he said when they were in their seats.

“There isn’t much to say. Vivi was right. In the end, all I did was hurt them.” She glanced at him. “I suppose you’ll say I was always like that.”

“No.”

Something in his voice surprised her; a sadness, maybe. “Why are you here, Luke?”

“I thought you needed a friend.”

She could tell by looking at him there was more. “And?”

He smiled at that. “And I needed one, too.”

“Trouble with the wife?”

“Ex-wife.”

Winona frowned. “When did that happen?”

“Three years ago.”

“And you never told me? Why?”

“I was embarrassed. I think I told you once she was my soul mate.”